New assistant principals

NEW ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS ON BOARD Two APs join the Highlander nation

ARIANA ELAHI DESIGNER & BUSINESS MANAGER

Monica Charles-Williams

Previously working at Westfield High School as a dean of students, Monica Charles-Williams joined the Highlander staff as an assistant principal this school year.

“The number one reason I came to

Rob Plunkett

Rob Plunkett, a former McLean social studies teacher, returned as an assistant principal after five years of working at Longfellow Middle School.

“I got a phone call and was presented with the opportunity, and I was like, ‘Oh, yeah, I McLean High School was that I really love the community. I love how this school encompasses leadership in everything that you do,” Charles-Williams said. “Also, Ellen Reilly is amazing as a principal. It wasn’t hard to choose a school—I’m looking for leadership, and she is one of the best.”

Becoming an assistant principal was a new opportunity that Charles-Williams was more than eager to take.

“With being an assistant principal, I get to still be a part of the school system. It’s just something about the high schools, the students and the mature issues they bring,” Charles-Williams said. “All those reasons led me to choose becoming a high school assistant principal over middle or elementary school.”

During her time at McLean, CharlesWilliams is determined to make a difference in the McLean community and help as many students as possible. would love to work with Dr. Reilly and the team over there,’” Plunkett said. “And what’s even cooler is that the students who are here are the students that I had at Longfellow.”

Plunkett is happy to be back in the high school environment.

“High school is great because when you have high schoolers, they’re practically adults, and you can have conversations with them that you may not necessarily be able to have with someone who’s 12,” Plunkett said. “High school is like a small community—we call it the Highlander nation for a reason. Everyone here has this sense of community, and that’s something that I truly enjoy about the high school experience.”

In a virtual world, for Plunkett, the worst part of his job is the lack of student interaction.

“Honestly, it’s just odd being in a school without any students. I didn’t get into this job to sit in front of a computer for seven hours—I got into this job because I wanted to see people’s faces. We’re all wearing face

“I see myself being here for a while,” Charles-Williams said. “I believe everything is happening for a reason. I’m here to learn; I’m here to lead and serve my purpose. However long that takes, I’ll be here.”

Outside of school, Charles-Williams loves spending time with her family, relaxing at home and eating food from all over the world.

“I love food. I feel like naming one is like disrespecting all the other greats,” CharlesWilliams said. “I love Italian, Thai and Mexican, but it’s so hard for me to decide.”

Charles-Williams’ main goal for this year is to inspire and encourage students to explore, learn and live life to the fullest.

“With a crazy pandemic over us, I am going to leave you with my favorite quote that applies now more than ever,” CharlesWilliams said. “‘Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to

dance in the rain.’” masks, so if someone’s smiling, you would never know, and it’s just so surreal,” Plunkett said. “When we get to the point when everyone can come back, I think that’s going to be probably the greatest celebration that we’ve had in a very long time around here.”

Outside of school, Plunkett is very involved with athletics and is a huge sports fan.

“I officiate high school football and have had this post for the past 22 years,” Plunkett said. “I also, among other things, am the referee trainer for McLean Youth Basketball and have been for seven years.”

Plunkett encourages McLean students to remember where they all came from during this challenging year.

“Just because this year is different doesn’t mean that we’re not all part of a community. It doesn’t mean that we’re not Highlanders,” Plunkett said. “It just means that we’re not in the same place at the same time. But that doesn’t change who we are, and it doesn’t change how amazing we are.”